Application

Computer Categories

Personal

Usually more stationary, not hand held, but smaller than a table. Usually have separate piece that connect and disconnect like mouse, keyboard, monitor.

Mobile

Small enough to move easily, more compact hardware (devices don't usually disconnect, solid state). Usually smaller memory and slower processor, and slower communications and more expensive relative to memory/speed.

Game

Tend to have a controller input device. Limited on number of input devices used (formats are typically proprietary). Not general purpose computing. Multiple users over networks are the direction they are moving toward.

Server

Not for personal use, tends not to have keyboard and monitor as I/O devices. Print servers, file servers, web servers.

Mainframe

Big computer (size and processing power). Typically used by businesses.

Supercomputer

Massive, fast computer with lots of memory.

Embedded

Can't see them typically because they are fully inside something else. Cars often have them as well as most modern kitchen appliances. RFID chips.

Computer Usage

SOHO

Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) includes any company with fewer that fifty employees, as well as the self-employed who work from home.

Examples of SOHO users include:

Local Law Practices

Accounting Firms

Travel Agencies

Florists

Mobile

Mobile Users work on the computer while away from a main office or school.

Examples of mobile users include:

Sales Representatives

Real Estate Agents

Insurance Agents

Meter Readers

Package Delivery People

Journalists

Students

Power

Power Users require the capabilities of a powerful desktop computer, called a workstation.

Examples of power users include:

Engineers

Scientists

Architects

Desktop Publishers

Graphic Artists

Large Business

A Large Buiness User is an employee or customer who uses a computer in a large buisness.

Computers in Society

Education

Computers have had a huge impact on education in the past decade. Nearly all school systems have intranets, where students can log in and access their own files throughout the school. Also we are seeing more and more students nowadays using digital slideshows such as PowerPoint instead of the old-fashioned posters and display boards.

Finance

With available functions such as online banking and online investing combined with extensive capability for retaining information, computers help companies and individuals manage their finances more efficiently.

Government

Citizens may use government websites to file taxes, apply for permits and licenses, pay parking tickets, register to vote...Government sites provide the people with current information. The military and other agency officials use the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's network of information about domestic security threats to help protect our nation.

Health Care

Patient records are kept on file by a computer, computers monitor sick patients from the hospital or from home, computers help with research and diagnosis, doctors communicate by email to patients. The pharmacy also uses computers to keep track of each patients medications to ensure that you aren't prescribed medications that might not interact well together. Pharmacists also use computers to file insurance claims.

Science

Computers assist with collecting, analyzing, and modeling data.

Publishing

Special software is available for graphic designers who arrange text and pictures for publishing. Authors may publish online.

Travel

Computers have changed the world of travel in recent years. Passengers can now book their flights online, and in some cases print their own boarding passes. Weather also affects travel in some cases, and people can now easily check the weather forecast online instead of waiting on the local Meteorologist. Many kinds of maps are available online. Websites such as MapQuest can even give you maps and directions from place to place, but is not necessarily 100% reliable. Computers are on their way to dramatically changing the world of travel.The CDC has a travel reccommendations website that is helpful in knowing what vaccinations or shots may be required for travel to different countries around the world.

Manufacturing

Computer-aided manufacturing, or CAM, refers to the use of computers to assist with manufacturing processes such as fabrication and assembly. Many times, robots carry out the processes and industries involved include oil drilling, power generation, food production and automobile manufacturing.